Tone-deaf: How Macron’s cabinet reshuffle continues to taint his socially progressive image

This summer’s French Cabinet reshuffle strongly undermines President Macron’s reputation as a progressive leader. This article does not wish to express a view on the innocence or guilt of Gerald Darmanin; it aims to show that the message his nomination and subsequent actions sends is unacceptable.

Protestors in Lyon in November 2020. Image Source: @ev via Unsplash

Upon his election in 2017, Emmanuel Macron became the youngest president in French history, seen by many as a glimmer of hope. His party, En Marche, reached out to the youth, progressive liberals and internationalists. Macron, who married against traditional conventions, projected the image of a modern France through his personal and political journey.

Following the Covid-19 lockdown and unsuccessful local elections, the president decided to reshuffle his cabinet in July. Edouard Philippe, the prime minister at the time, was gaining popularity and looked like a potential serious challenger to Macron in the 2022 presidential election. Currently the mayor of Le Havre, he could still run according to some. Therefore, he was replaced by Jean Castex, a mostly unknown senior civil servant from the south of France.

Outrage then ensued, as Castex, with the president’s accord, nominated Gerald Darmanin as interior minister - a politician accused of sexual harassment and rape. Darmanin, originally from the conservative party Les Republicains, also made various controversial statements on Twitter against gay marriage.

Darmanin has been accused by two women of abusing his political power to gain sexual favours, while they needed personal help. In both cases, Darmanin was an important figure in his city of Tourcoing, first as local councillor, then as mayor.

The alleged rape took place in 2009, and the victim pressed charges in 2017. She argued Darmanin pressured her to have sex with him, implying he would then help her with a complicated legal situation. The case was dismissed in 2018 for lack of evidence, but was reopened in June 2020 for further investigation. It is still ongoing.

Additionally, Darmanin was involved in a similar case in 2015, labelled as “abuse of a vulnerable person.” The presumed victim was allegedly pressured to have sexual intercourse in exchange for help regarding her housing situation. However, the charges were dropped for lack of evidence.

Gerald Darmanin accepted that intercourse took place with these women but claimed it was consensual. On August 5, he called himself a “victim” in an article for a French newspaper Le Point. However, the very fact of using a position of power in sexual pursuit of two women is unacceptable, especially considering Macron’s previous stances on the need of an ethical government. In 2019, the president of the National Assembly was accused of embezzling funds to pay for lobster meals and refurbish his official residence. He was forced to resign. Is alleged sexual abuse really considered less important than lobsters? 

The nomination of lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti as justice minister was also shocking, albeit to a lesser extent. Known for his big mouth, his witticisms have included: “Look, when it’s no, it’s no, ok. But how do you French kiss these days? Are you supposed to send a formal letter and wait for a reply?”

While Moretti’s words are unacceptable because they trivialise consent, Darmanin’s case is criminal. How can Macron, a supposedly progressive president, accept the nomination of a man entangled in such affairs? Let alone putting him in charge of the French police force, constituting an obvious conflict of interest. 

Fellow ministers and En Marche MPs have been avoiding to comment, but invoked “the right to the presumption of innocence” when cornered. The former Secretary of State for Gender Equality Marlene Schiappa left her position to work for Gerald Darmanin. One cannot be sure that it was a party move to legitimise him, but it certainly looked like one.

The controversies surrounding Darmanin did not stop at rape accusations. Since this summer, the minister has tried to pass a law preventing citizens from filming the police, which resulted in condamnations by human rights organisations and in shock in the local and international media. This intervened in a context of anger concerning the death of black French citizen Adama Traoré, whose family argues his death was caused by police mistreatment. For her BLM activism, his half-sister Assa Traoré was designated as one of the “Guardians of the Year” by the Times Magazine. French people, in the midst of the pandemic, took to the streets in late 2020 to demand the removal of Darmanin’s proposed ‘‘security law.” The French government then backtracked and said it would be-written. 

Amongst other things, Darmanin declared that halal food in supermarkets was encouraging “communitarianism.” Social media laughed at the comment, asking if the same could be said of “foreign” foods like sushi.  

The nomination of Darmanin was probably decided for its potential in attracting a portion of the right-wing electorate to Macron’s En Marche. Topics like law and order, the preservation of “French” values, or reluctance towards immigration are usually appropriated by more conservative parties like Les Républicains or Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National. However, the nomination of Darmanin is a fault. 

Even if setting aside his questionable policies and comments, Darmanin’s involvement in sexual assault investigations should have been a deal-breaker. Regardless of formal justice, Darmanin’s nomination is absolutely tone-deaf at the time of #MeToo, rising support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and recognition of victims’ voices. A different choice should have been made. What message does this send to victims of abuse? It says: you do not matter. Indeed, a man accused of sexual violence, who recognised having had sex with vulnerable women, can access the highest state offices.

Macron based his agenda on modernity, political integrity and the fight against sexism. Where are these values now? Various petitions have been launched, columns have been published, opposition politicians have criticised the move, and protests against the nominations of the new ministers have been happening around France. 

On Bastille Day, President Macron was asked about the accusations faced by Darmanin. He replied that they discussed them “man-to-man.” And this embodies the whole issue.

This article is published as part of the Across the Channel series, written by Pi Media columnist Carmine Greusard--Deffeuille.

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